DHQ rules out Boko Haram, ISWAP ceasefire, says 435 terrorists killed

•Troops kill 3 kidnappers in Kogi forest

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ruled out any ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram terrorists, declaring that military operations against insurgents and other criminal groups will continue.

The military disclosed that troops killed 435 terrorists and bandits, arrested 809 suspects and rescued 717 kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across the country in September and October.

The successes were recorded during 588 security operations within the two-month period, which also resulted in the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and the recovery of 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices, alongside other logistics equipment used by criminal groups.

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this at a joint security press conference organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, yesterday.

He dismissed suggestions that the military had reached an agreement with Boko Haram to suspend hostilities.

“On the issue of whether there is a ceasefire with Boko Haram, I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire. Considering the terrorists neutralised, suspects arrested, victims rescued and other successes recorded across our operations, it is clear that we are not relenting. We will continue to sustain pressure on these criminal elements,” he said.

Uba explained that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Armed Forces had sustained coordinated land, air and maritime operations across the six geopolitical zones, targeting terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups.

According to him, the operations resulted in the killing of several high-profile terrorist commanders, including Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.

He said the 717 rescued victims included 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Owerri, Imo State, and 11 persons in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State.

The defence spokesman disclosed that troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and Owo Forest, disrupting terrorist networks and weakening their operational capabilities.

He maintained that sustained military offensives had forced some insurgents to abandon their former strongholds and relocate to other parts of the country.

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